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The Peddler of Hearts 

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No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



The Peddler of Hearts 

A Play for Young People 



By 
GERTRUDE KNEVELS 

Complete with Songs, Dances and 
Selected Music 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1917 



P5 S5^.J 

The Peddler of Hearts 



CHARACTERS 

The Prince of Herzimwald. 

Burgomaster of Herzimwald. 

A Cobbler. 

The Butcher. 

The Baker. 

The Candlestick-Maker. 

The Butcher's Wife. 

The Baker's Wife. 

The Candlestick-Maker's Wife. 

Belrose, the Burgomaster s daughter. 

Gretel, the Goosegirl. 

Rudolf, her lover. 

KARL.yfr^/ boy. 

Five Other Boys. 

Yi\\.Ti^, first girl. 

Five Other Girls. 

Six Elves, Toadkin, Teaser, Pincher, Snatch, Sneak 

and Moss Face. 
The Elf-King, or Peddler of Hearts, 








**^ 



Copyright, 191 7, by Gertrude Knevels 
Free for amateur performance. Professional stage-right reserved. 
©CI,D 46381 

MAR 15 1917 



COSTUMES 

Prince. Long cloak over slashed tunic. Short puffed trousers, 
long stockings and low buckled shoes. Lace ruffles at sleeves 
and lace collar. A flat velvet cap with a white feather, sword, 
and gold chain about neck. 

Burgomaster. Broad, low-crowned black hat. Deep white 
collars and cuffs. Long-tailed brown or crimson coat and knee- 
breeches. Thick gold chain about neck. Low buckled shoes. 

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick-Maker and Cobbler. Peas- 
ant smocks over knee-breeches, white stockings and low black 
shoes. Butcher and Baker have white caps and aprons. Candle- 
stick-Maker carries bag of tools and bundle of wicks and moulds. 
Butcher wears string of imitation sausages round his neck, and 
when quarrelsome can use a ham as a weapon. Baker fights with 
a long loaf of bread which he wields as a boy does a baseball bat. 
Cobbler wears a leather apron and plays a fiddle. Where the 
music is furnished by an orchestra, he can use an imitation in- 
strument. 

Women. Peasant costumes in subdued colors. Dark skirts, 
white blouses, bodices black or in contrasting colors. Embroid- 
ered aprons. Peasant caps. Baker's wife is oldest, Butcher's 
wife is very fat. 

Girls. Peasant costumes in bright colors. Skirts with stripes 
of contrasting color. Black velvet bodices, white blouses and 
aprons, pretty winged caps. Buckled shoes. On first entrance 
all carry garlands and bunches of flowers, also loose flowers in 
aprons. Hair in long braids. 

Gretel. a ragged brown dress, short sleeved and low necked, 
hair flowing, wooden shoes or bare feet. On first entrance carries 
basket containing primrose cross. Second entrance carries goose- 
herds' wand, a slender forked stick. Third entrance assists 
Rudolf to carry pack of hearts. 

Boys. Peasant costume. White blouses, bright colored vests, 
short trousers. Peasant hats. White stockings, buckled shoes. 

Belrose. a short-waisted, full-skirted dress with pointed bod- 
ice of pale blue brocaded with gold. A very good effect for this 
dress at a small cost can be obtained by using blue satine and 
stitching on figures cut from gold paper. A white mantle or train, 
lined with blue and bordered with gold tinsel braid. A high, 
cornucopia-shaped head-dress of white or gold with a pale blue 
veil falling from the point down wearer's back. Blue or gilt 
shoes. Hair worn in long curls or braids drawn forward. 

Elves. Long-sleeved tunics of brown or green cambric. 
Toadkin should dress in brown. Edges of sleeves and bottoms 



4 COSTUMES 

of tunics not hemmed but fringed or cut in points. Short trousers 
finished in same way. High pointed green or scarlet caps. No 
shoes but stockings to match suits having toes capped with same 
colored cloth wired out in long sharp points. 

Elf-King. Scarlet suit somewhat on order of Jester's costume, 
a picture of which can be found in any library. A pointed cap 
with long feather. Carries a brown sackcloth pack full of false 
hearts. These hearts are cut from cardboard and covered with 
red, blue, gold or silver paper. The special heart reserved for 
Belrose should be wound with Christmas tinsel. 



STORY OF THE PLAY 

Because Mortals have dared to build within the borders of the 
elfin wood, wicked elves have laid a curse upon the Village of 
Herzimwald. On the town's happiest day, the day of the betrothal 
of the Burgomaster's beautiful daughter to the young Prince, the 
Elf-King, disguised as a Peddler of Hearts, arrives in the market- 
place. He tricks the people into exchanging their good flesh-and- 
blood hearts for the gilded baubles he sells them. Now the Prince 
comes to find his beloved bewitched, and the hohday jollity of the 
town changed to mourning. In place of the kindly mirth for 
which the village has ever been famous, there is quarreling, dis- 
cord, misery. The Prince's well-meant efforts to the succor of the 
people are unsuccessful, and it is only by the unselfishness of the 
little Goose-Girl — who "had never a penny to buy her a new 
heart" — and through the courage of her boy lover, that the hearts 
are finally restored. The people of Herzimwald, happy once 
more, promise hereafter to " Seek only the true gold ! " 



The Peddler of Hearts 



ACT I 

SCENE I. — Market-place in village of Her zhmv aid. Time, 
morjiing. Gaily decorated booths of Butcher, Baker and 
Candlestick- Maker up c, and at r. and l. 

(Butch., Bak., and C.-M., with their wives, are busily ar- 
ranging goods on counters. Cobbler sits on bench beside 
a pile of old shoes, playing Ids fiddle and singing. Others 
gradually stop work to listen, joining i?i on last verse ; 
then, as if unable to resist any longer, they pair off and 
dance. See Appendix for the Description of Dances and 
Music. ^ 

Cob. {singing). 

Ha, ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho ! 
Life is full of sunshine, so 
As along my way I go, 

I must laugh — ho, ho ! ho, ho ! 

Laughing, chaffing, that suits me, 
My light heart from care is free, 

So the joke I always see — 
Yes, oh, yes, a joke suits me ! 

Blue's the color for my sky. 

What if clouds go sailing by? 
Silver linings I can spy — 

In my happy, happy sky ! 

All {joining in). 

Ha, ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho ! 

Life is full of sunshine, so — 
As along my way I go, 

I must laugh, hOj ho ! ho, ho ! 



6 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Butcher's Wife (^puffing and panting at end of dance). 
There, stop, not another step ! I'm too fat 

C.-M. Qier partner). One more turn — just one! Remem- 
ber what day this is. 

Butch. 'Tisn't every day our Burgomaster's daughter gets 
herself betrothed to a Prince ! 

Bak. 'Tisn't every day a Prince has the luck to meet so 
sweet a maid as our Belrose. Here's joy to her! (IVaves 
cap.) Belrose the Beautiful ! Belrose 

Baker's Wife. There, there, husband, that will do ! 
Belrose is a good girl, but that pretty head of hers will likely 
be turned now 'tis to wear a crown. Come, Karl, get to work ! 
Do you want the Prince to find us in such a mess as this ? 

(^Goes to booth and begins to arrange goods. Other women 
follow her example , but men continue to take their ease.) 

Bak. (seating himself deliberately and ligJiting pipe). Time 
enough ! Time a-plenty ! 

Butch. 'Tis half a day's journey from the Palace. He'll 
not be here before noon. 

Candlestick-Maker's Wife. There's a deal to be done be- 
fore that. 

C.-M. Right you are, Katrinka. Still, it does us old folks 
good to have a bit of fun now and then. I never was one for 
pulling a long face myself. 

Bak. Nor I. Long faces aren't the style in Herzimwald, 
and never have been. Why, from our great-grandfather's 
times down to this very day, we hold the reputation of being 
the maddest, merriest folk in all the countryside. Now, I 
wonder 

Bak.'s Wife {inter rupti7ig). I wonder how long 'twill be 
before we change our tune ! 

Butch. 's Wife. Change our tune? 

Bak.'s Wife. Aye — for change it we must, if ever the old 
tale comes true. 

C.-M.'s Wife. What tale is that? 

Bak.'s Wife. Do you mean to say you've never heard it? 
Many's the winter night beside the fire my old Granny used to 
tell us children the story — how because our town was built on 
the edge of the elves' wood, the elves have laid a curse on it. 

Butch. 's Wife (slmddering and looking over shoulder). 
Elves! Hush, don't speak of them to-day; it might brin^ 
bad luck | 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 



Butch. Tush ! What nonsense ! 

Cob. Seems to nie now 1 do remember some old rhyme my 
mother used to sing to me, when I was a little chap so 
high 



Bak.'s Wife {eagerly). Did it go like this? {Recites.) 

Herzimvvald, so gay, so good. 
Built within the Elf-King's wood, 
Some day sorrow shalt thou know, 
Some day elves shall bring thee woe — 
Till a merry- hear ted maid 
Goes alone to Elf-King's glade ! 

Bak. Nonsense, old women's nonsense ! Nobody could 
make head or tail of such stuff. 

Butch. As if anybody feared elves nowadays ! 

Bak.'s Wife {turning on both). Nonsense, is it .? And you 
don't fear the elves, Hans Fleischmann ? Oh, no ! Then tell 
me why it is not one of you men tlares go alone into the forest? 
My son Rudolf's the only one who's not afraid, though he is 
but a lad. 

Butch. I'll not say a stray elf isn't seen now and then 

Butch. 's Wife {clapping hand over his mouth). Hush ! 
Didn't 1 tell you not to speak of them ? Do you want to scare 
the girls ? Here they come now with their garlands for the 
Prince's arch. 

{Music. See Appendix.) 

Enter Hilda and other girls carrying garlands of flowers. 
Some have loose flowers in aprons. They dance, older 
people watching approvingly and afterward applauding. 

Cob. Very fine ! Very pretty ! So that's the way you'll 
dance to night before the Prince — eh? 

Hilda. Yes, that's the way ! Don' t we know our steps 
nicely ? And— see, these are our garlands for the Prince's arch. 
But we must have wreaths, girls; one for his Highness and one 
for our Belrose. Who will make them? 

2D Girl. Gretel the Goose-girl makes the prettiest wreaths 
of any girl in the town. 

3D Girl. But Gretel's gone to look for primroses ! 

4TH Girl [standing on bench to loop daisy chain across 
booth). Primroses? It's lilies and roses we ought to have 
to- day ! 



8 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

2D Girl. We need some green branches. 
5TH Girl. The boys are bringing them. 

(Cob. goes to 7neet Boys, returfiiiig with them.) 

4TH Girl. Here they come ! 
Hilda. Sh ! Let's not notice them ! 
5TH Girl. Let's pretend to be working ! 

(Girls sit o?i grotmd in tzvo groups at r. a?idi.., be ?i ding 
over flowers. Boys march ifi, whistling merrily and 
headed by Cob. playing his fiddle. Boys carry gree?i 
branches. They drop these, pull GiRi-S to feet, and make 
them dance. See Description of Dances and Music. Older 
people in background applaud, then, baskets in hand, bustle 
off stage as if going for merchandise. Cob. follows.) 

Hilda {pulling away from her partne?'). Oh, Karl, but 
you're clumsy ! If Rudolf were here, 1 wouldn't be dancing 
with you ! 

Girls. Where's Rudolf? We want Rudolf ! 

Karl. Oh, he's hard at work in the forest. 

2D Boy. Working ? But to-day's a holiday ! 

Karl. Rudolf doesn't want a holiday. He's splitting logs 
to build a house. 

3D Boy. Perhaps he's going to follow the Prince's example ! 

Karl. They say he's picked his sweetheart. 

Girls. His sweetheart ? 

Karl. Oh, it's not you, Hilda, you needn't fall a-blushing ! 

Hilda. How dare you say I'm blushing? 

{She chases him across stage and boxes his ears.) 

2D Girl {looking off). Why, here comes Rudolf now ! 
And who do you think is with him ? 
Girls. Who? 
2D Girl. Gretel, the Goose-girl ! 

Etiter Rudolf and Gretel, hand in hand. Rud. carries 
an axe over his shoulder, Gre. a little basket. Boys and 
Girls surround them teasingly. 

Girls [ -^"^^^^^^ Rudolf; tell us who's your sweetheart? 

Hilda {tossing him a flower). I dare you to give her this ! 
Rud. {catching it). I thank you ! 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 9 

{He dowSj gives Jiower io Gue. zvho tucks it ifi her belt and 
bobs him a curtsey.') 

Girls 
Boys 

Gretel and Rudolf, ho, bo ! ho, ho ! 

Gretel and Rudolf, ho, ho / 



I {taking hands and dancing merrily round couple). 



RuD. {breaking through circle). There, girls, let me go. 
I only turned back with Gretel here, who had wandered too 
far after her primroses, and now 1 must get back to my work. 
To-night I'll spend with my good uncle who lives t'other side 
of the forest, but I'll be home again before to-morrow evening. 
(Girls and Boys turn aside to ivork on garlafids. Karl runs 
out, whistling. Rud. draivs Gre. down c.) You'll promise 
me not to wander so far into the forest again, won't you, 
Gretel? I'm not afraid of the elves for myself, but for 
you 

Gre. But I fear for you, Rudolf! It was for you I wanted 
the primroses. Don't you know that they are holy flowers? 
A cross woven of prinn'oses will keep off evil spirits. Take 
this, and keep it always about you. {Gives him cross.) 

Rud. 1 will, little sweetheart, and thank you kindly. 
Good-bye ! 

Gre. Good-bye ! 

BOYS^ I Good-bye, Rudolf! Good luck to you ! 
(Rud. runs off l.) 
Enter Karl. 

Karl. Guess who's coming down the road ! 

Boys. The Prince ! 

Hilda. And our wreaths not finished ! 

2D Girl. Oh, my hair ! 

3D Girl. And I'm not dressed ! 

Karl. Sillies, it's not the Prince at all, it's a peddler ! 

Girls {disappointed). Oh — nothing but a peddler! 

Karl {mysteriously). But wait till you see him — the queer- 
est chap I ever laid eyes on. He's got a yellow face and eyes 
as black as a hawk and a great big pack on his back, and he's 
dressed in scarlet with shiny things hung all over him. Yes, 
and he's singing as he comes. Listen ! 



10 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

(All listen. Elfin music begins faintly and Elf-King's 
voice is heard singing outside. ) 

Hilda. What fun ! 'Twill serve to pass the time till the 
Prince comes. Let's run ami meet him. 

(Girls and Boys mn out l. as older people come in from r.) 

Butch. 's Wife. Did you hear that ? What a queer tune ! 
Bak.'s Wife {frightened). Don't listen — that's a bad tune 
— that's elf-music ! Don't listen, 1 say ! 

(Claps hands over own ears, but removes them almost im- 
mediately, listening with all her might.) 

Bak. Nonsense, wife ! Why, 'tis nothing but a peddler. 
See, here's the fellow now ! 

(Enter King, dressed as Peddler of Hearts, dancing and 
singing. Boys and Girls follow him in. All surround 
him admirifigly.) 

Ped. (singing). 

Hey ding-a-ding, a-ding ! 
Hearts on a string, a string, 
Hey ding-a-ding, a-ding, 
Hearts on a string ! 
Silver hearts, gold hearts, 
New hearts for old hearts. 
Come and buy new hearts, 
Hey ding-a-ding ! 

Hey ding-a-ding, a-ding ! 
Hearts on a string, a string. 
Hey ding-a-ding, a ding. 
Hearts on a string ! 
Red hearts and blue hearts. 
Bold hearts and true hearts. 
Come and buy new hearts, 
Hey ding-a-ding ! 

(As he sings, the Ped. turns round and round to display 
bright tinsel hearts on ribhon about his neck and showing 
from mouth of pack.) 

Gre, WlKitever can he mean ? 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 11 

Bak. Your goods, fellow, what are your goods? 

Ped. (/// the voice of the hazvker). Hearts, hearts, who'll 
buy them ? Hearts, hearts, who'll try them ? Get rid of your 
old hearts, your cold hearts, your crusty, musty, dusty, work- 
a-day hearts ! I give away hearts ! Here are new hearts, red 
and blue hearts, fine and true hearts! All for you — hearts! 
Hearts ! Silver and gold — new hearts for old I 

{While chanting, the Ped. jnakes his 7aay betiveen the people 
to booth up c, takes place behind cou?iter^ and pours out 
a stream of hearts from pack. People crowd round, 
bringing out purses and counting money.') 

People. How much ? How much ? 

Ped. Such a low price it is open to any one ! Just your 
old heart and one silver penny — one ! 

{All except Gre., the Bak.'s Wife, and the Butch. 's Wife 
scramble to buy the false hearts. All push and shove one 
another out of the way, but laughingly and in perfect good 
nature. As Ped. receives money he hands each person a 
heart, and tonches the heart of the buyer. The false 
hearts are slipped into vest- pockets of men and boys, and 
into kerchiefs of wo?7ien and girls. The effect of the en- 
chantment should be shown immediately in the expression 
and actions of buyers ; gayety giving way to dull misery, 
kindliness to quarreling, etc.) 

Gre. Oh, dear, oh, dear, I never knew before 'twas so 
dreadful to be poor ! If 1 only had a penny ! 

{She darts into crowd, trying to borrow from 07ie after an- 
other, but always being refused.) 

Bak.'s Wife {draggifig her husband by his coat-tail out of 
crowd). Come away, Karl, dear, come away! I wouldn't 
give up my good old heart, not for any new one ! 

Bak. {zvho has just pocketed false heart, turriing on her 
roughly). Your good heart? You old scold, you ugly, silly 
shrew ! You need a new heart, if any one does ! 

Bak.'s Wife {amazed). Why, Karl, whatever is the mat- 
ter with you ? You never in all your life spoke like that to me 
before ! 

Butch. 's Wife {who has been making observations over 
shoulders of crowd). Come along, Lotta, come along ! 



12 tHE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Bak.'s Wife. No, do, I'm afraid ! There's magic in this, 
magic I tell you. And yet — and yet — he said I needed a new 
heart ! 

Butch. 's Wife. It doesn't seem to hurt at all. He just 
lays his hand on your old heart — so {touching; friend's heart') 
and — pop — 'tis gone ! And you've a fine shiny new one in its 
place all red or gilt or silver ! Come — we don't want to be 
behind the fashion ! 

{She drags Bak.'s Wife toivard Ped. Both purchase hearts.) 

C.-M.'s Wife {elbowing her way down c). Get out of 
my way there, will you ? {She roughly pushes Cob. aside.) 
See ! I've the finest in the pack ! 

Cob. {returning shove). Mine's a dozen times finer than 
yours, woman ! Gilt and scarlet 'tis, with a pattern all of 
twisting silver snakes ! 

C.-M.'s Wife. 'Tis not so heavy as mine ! 
r[ Cob. {groaning). Heavy ? 'Tis the heaviest heart in the 
world ! 

Hilda {thrustins^ herself betweefi them). Stupids ! Is it 
likely any of us poor folk will get the finest? That's being 
saved for Belrose — {sneering) Belrose, the Prince's Bride ! 

Gre. {delighted). Here comes our pretty Belrose now ! 
And the Burgomaster — he's always kind ! Maybe he'll give 
me a penny ! 

Enter Belrose a?id Burgomaster of Hehzimwald, he po7Jt- 
pons and kindly, she gay a?id smiling. She nods and kisses 
hands to Boys a?id Girls, none of whom, except Gre., 
make any respofise, as all except Goose-girl have now 
received false hearts and the enchantment is beginning to 
befell. 

Bel. Good-day to you, dear friends, good-day ! 

Burg, {to Ped.). Well, well, fellow, what have you there? 

Ped. {bowing and smirking as he approaches Bel.). Best 
in my pack, I have laid it aside. See, a bright heart for the 
Prince's Bride ! Solid gold, heavy and cold ! 

{Displays golde?i heart. ) 

Bel. Oh, oh, 'tis beautiful ! And how it shines ! I must 
have it — I must ! 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS I3 

Burg, {taking out fat purse). Of course you shall. My 
girl must have the best of everything. 

( Gives Ped. handful of money ^ 

Bel. {delighted^. Quick, be quick ! But oh {shriiiking)y 
my old heart ? 

Ped. {jpeaking slowly and impressively as he lays hand on 
her heart). Never again, never again, shall this cold heart 
feel joy or pain ! 

Bel. {impatiently). The new one, the new one ! 

{She snatches new hearty slips it into bodice^ and turns aside 
to gloat over treasure.) 

Burg. And now for myself. Have you anything more ex- 
pensive? 

( While he bargains with Ped. for last heart but one on 
strings Gre., who has tried in vain to attract Burg.'s at- 
tejition, comes pouting doivn c.) 

Gre. 'Tis a shame ! Nobody will lend me a penny ! Oh 
dear, oh dear, if Rudolf were here, he would buy me that last 
little tinsel heart ! 

Ped. {slyly approaching her). Give me your little sweet 
heart so true, and here, without price, is my last for you ! 

Gre. Oh, sir, thank you ! {She goes toward him eagerly, 
then draws back.) But no, that wouldn't be honest ! I don't 
want your goods if I can't pay ! {She looks at him closely.) 
And after all, I don't believe — I don't believe I do want your 
heart ! {Starts back suddenly.) Oh — Fm afraid, afraid ! 

(Ped. tries to grasp her and twist ribbon with heart about 
her neck, but she eludes him. Ped. laughs, bows mock- 
ingly, takes sack, and slips away through crowd, all of 
wliom by this time are too much occupied ivith their own 
fnisery to notice his going. At exit he stops a moment to 
gloat over them all, laughs loud and exultantly, waves 
tnocking salute, and goes. Discord shows itself among 
people. ) 

Bak. {to wife). Out of my sight ! Off with you ! 

(Threatens her.) 



14 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Bak.'s Wife. Be still ! 

Butch. 's Wife {to Butch.). You trod on my foot, I 



say 

Butch. I don't care if I did. I don't care. I don't care 
for anything I 

C.-M. Who pushed me? {Turns on Cob.) 

Cob. Stand out of my way, or I'll pull your nose off ! 

Gre. Why, whatever is the matter with everybody? 

Butch, {putting her roughly aside'). Out of the way, 
Goose-girl ! Back to your geese ! A nice sight you are for 
the Prince to see, with your old brown dress and your ugly 
wooden shoes ! 

Burg, {starting up as if from a dreani). The Prince ! He 
may be here at any moment — and I'd forgotten he was coming. 
{Turns angrily to daugJiter.') Wake up, girl ! {Shakes her 
arm.) Are you asleep ? What's the matter with you? Have 
you forgotten the Prince is coming ? 

Karl. The Prince is here ! 

Enter Prince of Herzimwald hurriedly. 

People {echoing dully and 7vithout moving froin places). The 
Prince ! 

Prince {looking about him in angry aniazement).. So, my 
good people of Herzimwald, this is the welcome you give your 
Prince? A pleasant meeting, upon my word. A loyal greet- 
ing ! {Sees Bel. and springs to her side.) Belrose, my be- 
loved ! {Kneels and kisses her hand ; she neither looks up 
?ior moves.) Have you no word for me? Child, what is it? 
Do you not know me? Speak ! {Feels her hands.) Oh, she 
is cold — cold ! 

Bak.'s Wife {drearily). She is bewitched. {Looks round 
at people.) We are all bewitched. 

Men I (rousing suddenly in terror). Aye, aye, be- 

WoMEN j witched ! 

Burg. 'Twas the Peddler ! 

People. Aye — the Peddler ! 

{They shake fists angrily in direction taken by Ped.) 

Bak.'s Wife. Too late. He's gone— gone and left the 
curse behind. 

People. The curse has come on Herzimwald ! 

Prince {to people). Fools ! What care 1 if the whole pack 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS I5 

of you be bevvilched and curstd together — were my sweet love 
but spared ! {Throivs himse/f on knees beside Bel.) Bel- 
rose, have you forgotten ? This very day we were to be be- 
trothed ! Speak ! Do you no longer love me? 

Bel. (^raising head sloivly, laying Jiaiid on hearty and using 
sad, dull voice). 

"Never again, never again 
Shall this cold heart feel joy or pain ! " 

CURTAIN 



SCENE 2. — Same as Scene i. Time, morning of day folloiv- 
ing Ped.'s visit. Merchandise on boot/is, decorations hang- 
ing unfinished. 

(Cob., C.-M., his wife and other 7vomen sit about stage in 
dull, despairing attitudes. As curtain rises Bak. chases 
Butch, across stage, striking Jiini with long loaf of bread.') 

Butch. Have done, won't you? Can't you let me alone? 
Can't you let a poor man alone to have a little comfort in his 
misery ? 

Bak. Be still, then. I'm sick of your moaning and your 
groaning. Do you ihink nobody's unhappy but yourself? 

Butch. I know I'm the most miserable man in Herzim- 
wald ! 

Cob. {springing to feet in sudden passion). 'Tis a lie ! I 
am ! {Flings a shoe at Butch.) 

Bak. {whacking Cob. ivith loaf). No, no, I am! 

{As all glare at one another angrily, Prince enters hur- 
riedly from R.) 

Prince. How now ? Quarreling here too ? I believe the 
old crone was right, the whole town's bewitched ! Here, fel- 
low. {Beckons Bak.) Come here, I say. {Takes him by 
arm.) Now listen to me 

Bak. {dolefully, fetching a long face). Yes, your Highness ! 

Prince {pointing). Look up there now; don't you see the 
sun is shining ? 



l6 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Bak. {still more dolefully), k)^, your Highness, I see It. 
I see the sun a-shining; fit to bake the life out of a man ! 
Drying up the pasture, parching tlie young wheat, taking the 
bread out of our very mouths. Oh, yes, deary-me, yes, your 
Highness, I see the sun a-shining ! 

Prince. But it's Springtime, man, it's Springtime ! In 
the fields the buds are coming into bloom, in the woods the 
birds are singing fit to burst their hearts ! 

Cob. {interrupt big). And here in Herzimwald we're sigh- 
ing fit to burst ours. Oho ! {Sighs long and dismally.') 

People {echoing). Oho I 

Prince {releasing Bak. ajid turning on Cob.). I tell you 
'tis the time of year for folks to be merry, old men and young, 
wives and — {he hesitates as Bel. enters, led between tivo of the 
girls and folloived sadly by others) wives and maidens ! {He 
goes to Bel., lifts her hand and kisses it, speaki/ig gently as 
though to a sick child.) Belrose ! Belrose ! 

(She does not seem to hear. Prince leads her to bench^ Girls 
group behind her.) 

Bak.'s Wife {coming down c, and speaking with bitter em- 
phasis). You see, your Highness, the old crone was right ! 
The whole town's bewitched, and if you'd see on whom the 
curse has fallen heaviest, you have not far to look. 

{Points to Bel. and laughs maliciously.) 

C.-M.'s Wife. Belrose the Beautiful ! Aye — she's beauti- 
ful now, with her heavy eyes and her face a yard long ! 

Butch. 's Wife. Belrose the Burgomaster's daughter ! She 
must have the best in the pack. Ah, yes ! The shining heart, 
the solid gold heart ! {Viciously.) Ah ! 1 hope 'twill weigh 
in her breast like a stone until she dies ! 

Prince {to Girls). Take her away ! (Girls lead Bei,. 
out. Prince turns angrily on people.) Shame on you all, I 
say. Shame on you all ! Nothing have I heard this day in 
all this wretched town but moaning and groaning, quarreling 
and complaining. Are you all alike? is there no hope? Not 
one bright face — one happy heart in this unhappy town ? 

{Gay music heard outside. See Appendix. Gre., carrying 
a long, slender forked stick, dances in laughing. At first 
she does not see the Prince.) 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS I'J 

Gre. (^singing). 

Ha, ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho ! 

Life is full of sunshine, so — 
As along my way 1 go, 

I must laugh, ho, ho, ho, ho / 

[She ends song with Joyful skip and hop, then runs to Cob. 
and throws her arms round Ids neck.) Oh, Peter Heel, Peter 
Heel, if you'll promise not to scold, I'll tell you something 
funny ! The old gray goose is lost again; 'tis the third time 
since 

Cob. (^pushing her away). Silence, girl — the Prince 

Ore. Oh ! {Bobs courtesy.) Give you good-day, your 
Highness ! 

PuiNCE. Bravo, little one, bravo ! I'll swear to it your 
heart came not out of the Peddler's pack ! 

Gre. No, Highness, for 1 had never a penny in the world, 
and nobody would lend me one! 

Prince {solemnly). And well it was for you. You alone 
in all of Herzimwald, little Goose-girl, have escaped enchant- 
ment. 

Gre. Enchantment ? {Points to people.) Is that what's 
the matter with them ? 

Prince. Aye, so they say — magic ! 

Bak.'s Wife. I told you so, I told you so. Magic, I said, 
wicked magic, elves' magic, but nobody would listen 

Bak. Who wants to listen to your clacking tongue ? Be 
still, woman ! 

Prince. Let her speak. 

Bak.'s Wife {importantly). 'Twas but yesterday, your 
Highness, I was telling them of the curse 

Prince. The curse ? 

Bak.'s Wife. Ay, the doom that's come upon us all 

{Recites.) 

Herzimwald, so gay, so good, 
Built within the Elf-King's wood. 
Some day sorrow shalt thou know. 
Some day elves shall bring thee woe, 
Till a merry-hearted maid 
Goes alone to Elf- King's glade ! 

Cob. 'Tis the curse ! We've waited for it all these years, 
and now 'tis come. 



l8 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Bak. Blockhead, be still! I'll tell you something you 

could never guess, that peddler was— 

Bak.'s Wife. The Elf- King ! 

Cob' I ^^' ^^'^ Elf- King himself! 

Prince. Come, come, this is madness 

Bak. No, truth, your Highness. 'Twas he who robbed us 
of our good old hearts, our fiesh-and blood hearts, and left 
these fiendish lumps of gold and silver to weigh us down in 
sorrow to our graves. And there's no help ! 

(^He sighs moiirnfui/y.') 

People. No help ! No help ! 

Prince. 1 say there is ! How went the rhyme? ** Till a 
merry- hearted maici goes alone to Elf- King's glade " 

Bak.'s Wife. But that would be the very heart of the 
forest, your Highness. Hardly a man in the town would dare 
venture so far, and what maid 

Prince. Gretel, the Goose-girl ! 

Ore. I? {Runs to Prince.) Oh, but your Highness, 
you don't mean you would send me ? 

Prince. I'll not send you, little Gretel, no 1 Here, on my 
knees {bending /lis k?iee to her), 1 beg you to go and save 
your people ! 

{As Gre. hesitates, elfin music is faintly heard in distance!) 

Bak.'s Wife. The music; the wicked elves' music ! Do 
you hear ? 'Tis calling her ! 

Gre. Yes, 'tis calling me. I hear ! Farewell, your High- 
ness ! {Kisses Prince's hand.) 1 am coming ! I am com- 
ing ! 

{Runs off L. Men look after her in terror. Women fall 
on knees atid hide faces. Elfin music swells trium- 
phantly.') 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE I. — A glade in the King's wood. 

{The elves, Moss Face, Snatch, Teaser, Pincher^w^^ Sneak 
are half -concealed behind stumps and bushes, as if lying 
in IV ait for some one. Toadkin is keeping watch up l. 
Elfin ?nusic plays softly, the?i ceases abruptly as merry 
ivhistling is heard outside. Toad, hides. Enter Bjjd., 
axe on shoulder. He stops whistling and stands looking 
uneasily about him.') 

RuD. Lordy, but it's still here ! The stillest spot in all the 
forest ! Even the birds seem to fear this place. At home in 
Mother's kitchen I laugh 'at tales of elves and their magic, but 

here, in these dark woods (^Nearest Elf, creepi^igfrom 

behind bush, makes a grab at RuD.'s ankle, then darts back to 
hiding. RuD. ivhirls round, striking vainly with axe.) Oh, 
you would, would you ? Take that ! I know you're there, 
though I can't see you now. All day long you've been hunt- 
ing me, sly little wretches that you are. Not that I care ! 
(He strikes again in vain as another Elf twitches his coat- 
tail.) Pooh— no, indeed ! Afraid of elves? Not I ! (Rud.'s 
manner indicates that, for all his brave words, his courage is 
beginning to fail. Elfin music begins again a?id Elves begift 
to creep from hiding as if ready to pounce.) And if I were, 
haven't 1 the holy primroses to protect me? (^As he takes 
primrose cross fro?n pocket and holds it up, elf music ceases 
abruptly and ^lyes shrink back.) Gretel's primroses — bless 
her little kind heart ! They'll keep me safe all the day long ! 

{He shoulders axe, ivhistles gaily, and goes out at i.., hold- 
ing cross in plain sight. Elves spring from hiding and 
gaze angrily after him.) 

Pinch. He's gone, he's gone ! Your fault, Toadkin. 
Toad. (Jiidingface). Oh — primroses — they scorch my eye- 
balls ! 

Moss. They burn my heart like little yellow flames. 
Teas. They smother me ! 

19 



20 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Pinch, {solemnly). And yet we know our King's com- 
mand ! Rudolf the Wood-cutter must roam the forest no 
more. 

Sneak. Sliall we follow him ? 

Toad. No, no; wait till it's dark! 

Moss. But the little yellow flames will burn more brightly 
then ! 

Pinch. We won't mind then. We'll have him ! 

Sneak. What shall we do to him ? 

Pinch. Pinch him ! 

Moss. Scratch his eyes out ! 

Snatch. Jump on his back, dig in our claws, and ride him 
till he drops ! 

Toad, {leaping for joy). Hey, hey, what fun ! Ho, ho ! 

Pinch. {grabbi?ig Toad.). Come, dance with me ! 

All. Yes, let's dance ! 

{Elfin music. Elves dance. See Appendix. At close en- 
ter King, still dressed as Peddler, of Hearts afid car- 
rying his full pack. He stands a moment up c. Toad. 
sees him first and runs to welcome him.) 

Toad. The King ! Ho, ho, the King ! 
Elves. The King ! 

{All salute King.) 

King. Greeting, my merry men ! Here, Snatch, take my 
pack. (Ha?ids pack to Snatch.) Peej) in there, my sly ones, 
and a rare sight you shall see, a fair sight — a sight those wink- 
ing, blinking eyes of yours have waited many a year for ! 

Snatch {peeping into pack, then yielditig it to others). 
Hearts, human hearts ! 

King. The hearts of Herzimwald ! 

Elves {echoing joyously). The hearts of Herzimwald ! 

Toad. Brothers, 'tis done ! Our curse has come upon the 
town at last. 

Elves {capering for joy). The curse — at last ! 

Toad. The gaping fools, the boasters, the smiling silly- 
faces ! We've made them rue the day they dared to build 
their town so near our elfin wood ! 

King. Not so fast, Toadkin ; not so fast ! My pack lacks 
yet one heart — a maiden's heart ! 

Elves. A maiden's heart ? 



1 



\ 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 21 



King. You know the rhyme 
Elves {chanting). 



" Till a merry- hearted maid 

Goes alone to Elf- King's glade ! " 

King. If she should come 

Pinch. We'll tear that silly heart out, never fear ! 

Toad. It shall lie a-top of the pack, or my name's not 

Toadkin ! I'm off to watch for her 

{Turfis to run off R.) 

King. Stay ! Remember, that pure heart no elfin hand 
may touch against the maiden's will. All my craft I must em- 
ploy to make her give it freely. Go now, my sweet one, hide 
in the rotten leaves, like the brown toad thou art. Watch and 
wait. Touch not the maid or dare to frighten her, but bring 
me word of her approach. 

Toad. I go ! {Runs off r.') 

King {to others'). Ha, ha, it wastoo^asy ! Think of them 
now, the fools of Herzimwald ; their good hearts here in my 
pack, while our hearts, our false hearts, weigh in their breasts 
like lumps of stone ! 

Elves. Good, good ! Rare sport ! 

Snatch. I feel like dancing ! 

King. Be as merry as you will. 

(Elves dance as before King's entrance. King sits on stump 
as 071 a throne, hugging the pack of hearts and watching 
them. Dance is interrupted by retur?i ofToM).) 

Toad. She comes, she comes ! 

Elves. The maid ? 

King. What! Comes she merrily? 

Toad. She's singing. Hark to her ! 

(All listen. Gre.'s voice is heard singing bravely to keep 
up her spirits.) 

King. Hide then, one and all. To cover ! Stir not so 
much as a leaf until I bid you rise. 

(Elves hide as before Rud.'s e?itrance.) 

Enter Gre., glancing nervously from side to side. 



22 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Gre. (^singing). 

Sad hearts droop along the way, 
Glad hearts dance till close of day, 
So I'll keep mine light and gay — 
Singing, singmg on my way ! 

King (affecting surprise). Hey, the little Goose-girl ! 
Welcome, little Goose-girl ! 

Gre. {starting i?! fright). Oh ! 

King. What ! Not afraid ? Not afraid of the poor old 
peddler? See! {Returtis to Ped.'s voice and matmer.) 
Give thy silly heart to me, here's a gayer far for thee ! 

( Takes ribbon with tinsel heart frotn tieck and approaches 
Gre., who shrinks away.) 

Gre. No, no, I know you now ! You are the Elf- King. 
Harm enough have you done. Tears and sorrow have you 
brought to Herzimwald. Oh, sir, have mercy ! See, I kneel 
to you. {Kneels.) Give me back the people's hearts ! Let 
them have their happy hearts again. 

King {with mock sadness). 

No, ah, no, forevermore 

Sad their heavy hearts and sore ! 

Gre. Oh, dear, oh, dear, what shall I do? {Rises from 
knees.) I — I suppose I can just go home and try to comfort 
them 

{Turns quickly to go off r. King motions to Elves, who 
rise up and bar her way.) 

King {droppitig Ped.'s voice). No, little Queen-of-the- 
Geese, ah no ! Your light heart bides here in the forest 
with us. 

Gre. Let me go ! I must go ! 

(Tries to force way past Elves.) 

Elves. No, no ! {They threaten her.) 

Gre. {to Elves). Oh, so you think I'm afraid, do you? 
Well, I'm not, not very ! {To King.) And I'll tell you 
something you don't know. Rudolf the Wood-cutter bought 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 23 

nolhing from the Peddler. 'I'hese two days he has been in the 
forest, but he'll go whisthng home at fall of night, so — so 
there'll be one human heart after all in Herzimwald ! 

King (solemnly). Rudolf the Wood-cutter shall never go 
home ! 

Gre. But Rudolf is safe. You cannot hurt him. He has 
my primroses ! 

Elves {ivincing). Primroses ! 

King. Silly child ! Think you your baby charms can pre- 
vail against my mighty magic? My elves have my commands 
to make short work of hiuL 

Toad, {boastfully). Yes, yes, we'll pluck his eyes out ! 

Pinch. We'll tear him limb from limb ! 

King. But you shall save him, Grelel, if you will. 

Ore. I ? How can. I? 

King {coaxingly^. Give me your heart, your little sad 
heart, and Rudolf shall go free. Give me your little ugly 
human heart, and wear this golden one instead. 

{Advances with ti?isel heart. She retreats.) 

Gre. No ! 

King. What? Not to save your playfellow? Not to save 

Rudolf? A brave heart, yours ! A loyal, loving heart ! 

Gre. Oh, Rudolf, Rudolf, forgive me ! {To King.) No, 
I will not listen. You shall never have my heart. 

King. One more chance, one more, before I loose my elves 
on you I 

{Tries to fling ri^boji with heart over Gre.'s head. She 
dashes it aside.) 

Gre. No, no I 

King {to Elves). Fall on her ! Tear her to pieces ! 

{As E[-VES drag Gue. this ivay and that, Rud. enters.) 

RuD. Elves, and Gretel ! {^He holds np primroses ; Elves 
howl and shrifik back.) Back, I say, back ! 

(Elves Jiide faces and fall back. King tries to creep round 
behind RuD. ivho turns suddenly and thrusts primroses 
like a torch into his face. King drops pack, howls, and 
runs off,follo7vedby Elves.) 



24 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

Gre. The hearts ! 

(She snatches up the pack. As Elves retreat, Rud. statids 
triumphant, one arm round Gre., the other holding the 
cross aloft.) 

CURTAIN 



SCENE 2. —Same as Act I. 

{The Bak., the C.-M., their wives and other wofnen sit 
about in idle, despondent attitudes. Butch, and Cob. are 
engas^ed in fastoiing Vrwce's proclaniatio?i, a large offi- 
cial document with red seals, to frame of booth up Q. They 
move sloivly and listlessly, very much as if their hearts 
were not tn their busifiess. The Bak. ivatches them 
moodily.') 

Bak. No, no, no ! That's not it. A Httle more to the 
right there; no, to the left. No, that's too high. Nobody can 
read it there ! 

Cob. (^dropping work to rush at Bak. with hammer). But- 
ter-face ! Dough-head ! Who wants to read it? 

Bak. {ivarding him off). Stop ! I can read it well enough 
to see what will happen to you, Peter Heel, if you dare strike 
me again ! {Stands on tiptoe and reads.) " Proclamation of 
His Royal Highness, Prince of Herzimwald. Oyez, Oyez, 
Oyez, hearken and obey ! Whereas the present bearing and 
conduct of the people of Herzimwald doth cause his Royal 
Highness great displeasure, such bearing and such conduct 
shall immediately be changed. Glum faces, harsh words, noisy 
brawling shall from this time forth be absolutely forbidden 
within town limits. Cheerfulness, industry, smiling counte- 
nances are absolutely commanded by order of the Law. Fines 
for violation of same as follows : Every sigh or groan, one 

penny; every harsh word, one penny; every blow " 

(Cob. gives him smart blow on ear.) Ouch ! Five marks! 

{As Bak. dances ivith pain, Burg, etiters hurriedly) 

Burg. Stop — wait ! 'Tis my business to collect the fines ! 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 25 

{^Produces iiote-boolz and pencil.^ Now then — PeLer Heel, for 
brawling, five marks ! {^Writes in book.) 

Cob. {^throwing Ids purse to BuRG. ). Here. Take it, take 
all 1 have in the world and let me at him ! 

{Makes dash at Bak. wJw runs to hide behind ivomen.') 

Butch. What, I say, is this? {Points to proclamation.) 
That there's not justice. Every man has a right to be as mis- 
erable as he pleases ! 

Cob. (crowding him roughly aside). Tyranny it is ! I'm 
for resistance. On to the Palace 

Burg, {ivriting). Hans Fleischmann, one penny. Peter 
Heel 

Butch. Slop, stop, or we'll all be ruined ! 

Burg. Ruined? Yes! And who cares, Sausage-head, 
who cares? The town is making money. The town, ha, ha ! 
And the town's pockets are stitched in my breeches ! (Enter 
.t/ie Prince with Bel. who is pale a?id moves slowly as if in a 
dream. Several Qwkus, follow her slowly with downcast heads. 
As Burg, sees Prince, liis rough maniier changes to one of 
fawning politeness.) Ah, your Highness ! (Bows.) 

Prince (seating Bel. on bench). Good-day, Sir Burgo- 
master, and how is the new law working? An excellent idea, 
that, I flatter myself. 

Burg. A splendid idea, a magnificent idea, your High- 
ness — for filling my pockets ! 

Prince. 1 am being obeyed, of course? (He comes doiint 
c. People turn their backs.) Everybody busy ? Everybody 
cheerful? A smile on every face? Eh? What? Turn this 
way ! (People tur?i reluctantly and shoiv glum looks.) Smile, 
I command you, smile ! 

(People, except Cob., adopt horrible grins.) 

Cob. Not I, your Highness. I've paid for my misery, and 
miserable I will be ! 

Prince. This folly must be put an end to. My patience 
has its limits. Come, come, friend Cobbler, play the man ! 
Forget this chatter of enchantments, shake off this melancholy 
dream. Merry you shall be, whether you will or no ! Why, 
all my life I've heard of the gay songs, the romping dances of 
the folk of Herzimwald. (To people.) Come, if you won't 
work, you shall sing. Perhaps, by some good chance, your 



26 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

voices may arouse my sad love here! (^Goes to Bel. and 
kisses her hand. She does not look up or move.) My beau- 
tiful Belrose ! {To people.) So sing, 1 say, sing and dance — 
or 'twill be the worse for you ! 

Cob. {groaning). It could hardly be that, your Highness, 
but if we must» we must ! Come along there ! {He beckons 
to people 2vho, ivith the exception of Bel. and the Bukg., slouch 
unwillingly forward.) Karl Butterbrot, you'll lead ! 

{Threatens Bak. with an old hoot.) 

Bak. {whining). I'll not, I say! I'll not stir-a step, I 

Cob. {throwing boot). I say you shall ! 
Prince. Peace ! 

Burg, {writing). Karl Butterbrot the Baker, one penny 

Bak. Quick, quick I I can't afford it ! 

{He takes place as leader. People sing, dancing between 
verses of song. All wear fixed, glum expressions, and 
move unwillingly as if jerked by strings. In expression 
and movement this dance should caricature the gay romp 
in Act I.) 

People {singing). 

Deary- me, oh, deary-me, 

Life is sad as sad can be, 

Nothing's good that I can see, 

Deary, deary, deary-me ! 

Grumble, grumble, sigh and groan, 
This sad heart is not mine own, 

*Tis the Peddler's made of stone, 
So I sigh and groan ! 

Tears and sorrow are my lot. 

Through the Peddler and his plot, — 

Talk of comfort I will not — 
Sorrow, sorrow is my lot 1 

Deary-me, oh, deary-me, 

Life is bad as bad can be, 
Nothing's good that I can see — 

Deary, deary, deary me ! 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 



27 



{Al end of song Prince waves hand impatiently and people 
bow and return to places.) 

Prince. I thank you. That is enough ! 

Bak. But we've got twenty-nine more verses, your High- 
ness. 

Prince. Spare me, good Baker ! Your songs are worse 
than your silence. 

Burg, {tvho has been writing busily). Not too fast, your 
Highness, not too fast. Our profits are mounting up. We're 
making money — rolh ng in money ! {Reads.) Karl Butter- 
brot, Hans Fleischmann, Lotta — — 

People {threatening him with any iveapons handy). Stop ! 

Prince. Will you all be quiet? Peace, I say! I'm weary 
of your snapping and your snarling. Oh, for that one bright 
face, that one little light heart the Elf-King left me! Has 
any one news of Gretel ? 

Burg. The Goose-girl ? Oh, yes, your Highness, oh, 
deary- me, yes ! 

Prince. What? Has she returned ? 

Burg. She hath not, and never will. 

Prince. You mean 

Bak.'s Wife. He means, your Highness, that she is in all 
probability dead ! 

Prince. Dead ? Little Gretel dead ? 

Burg, {loith malicious satisfaction). Aye, pinched to 
death by the wicked elves in the forest, where you sent her ! 

Prince. It can't be true ! 

Bak.'s Wife. Without doubt 'tis true. 

Cob. Let us always try to believe the worst. 

Prince. Little Gretel ! Oh, I should never have let 
her go ! 

Bak.'s Wife. I told you so, 1 told you so ! Didn't I warn 
your Royal Highness? Magic, I said, wicked magic, but no- 
body would listen. 

Bak. Who would listen to you ? Stupid ! 

Bak.'s Wife. And now 'tis too late, too late ! Sorrow and 
sighing won't bring Gretel back again. {Goes to Bel. and 
shakes her by arm.) Do you hear, Belrose, Princess Belrose ! 
You'll never see your little friend again. Gretel the Goose- 
girl is dead ! 

Bel. {starting, and rising slozvly as if aivakin^ from 
(irecim), Gretel ! Gretel ! 



28 THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 

(She takes an unsteady step forivardy stretching arms as if 
to some tmseefi person, the ji falls back in Prince's arms.) 

Prince. She is dying ! 

Burg. And the Peddler has triumphed ! 

People (groaning). The curse ! The curse ! 

(^As they gather about Bel. sound of voices afid laughter 
heard outside. ) 

Prince. Hush ! Listen ! What is that? 

Burg. A strange sound ! I've heard it before, somewhere 
— long ago ! 

Bak.'s Wife (as laughter sounds nearer a7id gay music 
begins). Elves' music ! Wricked music ! 

(Holds hands over ears.) 

Prince. No, no, the best music in the world ! Laughter — 
happy laughter ! (Rud. and Gre. run in, holding pack of 
hearts between them. Those Boys a7id Girls not already on 
stage follow them and group in background. RuD. and Gre. 
drop pack at Prince's feet, bow, and begin a merry dance 
down c. The Prince, who is up c, ope?is pack, appears to 
take something from it which he gives to Burg, who slips it 
into daughter's kerchief. Bel. instantly revives, smiles, and 
stretches arms to Prince. Burg, helps himself from pack 
and hands it to people who scramble to recover their old hearts ^ 
dropping false ones. By the time Rud. «//^Gre.'s dance is 
over, spell is broken, people have recovered their old joyous 
spirits, and are shaki?ig hands, hugging one atiother, and danc- 
ing for joy. As Gre. ^w^ Rud. bo7v and retire.) How now, 
my people of Herzimwald, hath every citizen his own light 
heart again ? 

People. Yes, yes ! 

Prince. Then keep them kind and keep them good. And, 
henceforth, — remember. Seek only the true gold ! 

People. Only the true gold, your Highness ! Only the 
true gold ! 

Cob. (jumping on bench and wavitig boot). Health to our 
Prince 1 Hail to our Prince and our Prince's Bride 1 

People. Hail ! Hail ! 

Prince. Hail to Gretel the Goose-girl and Rudolf the 
Wood- cutter who have saved the town 1 



THE TEDDLER OF HEARTS 29 

People. Hail ! Hail ! May they live long and merrily ! 

{Music. See Appendix. Prince with Bel. sfa?ids down 
L. Burg, doivji r. Older people in background. Boys 
a?id Girls drag Gre. and Rud. down c, take haiids and 
dance round thefn, singing first verse of People* s Songy 
** Ha^ ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho / ") 



CURTAIN 



30 



THE PEDDLER OF HEARTS 



MUSIC 

The melodies of the Swedish and French folk tunes can 
be found in the Progressive Music Series, Vol. II, pubHshed 
by Silver, Burdett & Co., New York. Price, by mail, 45 cents. 
The piano accompaniments are in a separate volume. 

The German Folk Tune can be found in any collection 
of German folk tunes and also occurs in the opera of Hansel 
and Gretel by Humperdinck. 

No. I. People's Song and Dance in Act I. 

Ha, ha, ha, and ho, ho, ho ! 

Life is full of sunshine, so — 
As along my way I go, 

I must laugh, ho, ho ! ho, ho I etc. {See text.) 



German Failk Song 



People's Song, No. I 



^233^ 



leEf 



^=i. 



H v-Y 



-0— 



:J=4 



-<5>- 



;'^f^ 



:aE3 



-fz- 



tM 



Note. Gretel sings a verse of this song on her second entrance in 
Act I, Scene II, and another when she appears before elves, Act II. 

No. 2. Act I, Scene I. Dance of Girls. 

Same to be used for dance of Boys and Girls in same 
scene. 



Dutch Dance 



DiTTERSDORF 




THE PEDDLKR OF HEARTS 



31 






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No. 3. Act I, Scene I. Elf-music and Melody of 
Peddler's Song. 

Same to be used wherever " elf-music " is indicated in 
play. 

Peddler's Song — " Hey, ding-a-ding, a-ding 1 

Hearts on a string, a string." — etc. 

Either of two following melodies can be used. 



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No. 4. Act II, Scene II. People's Song, No. 2. 

" Deary-me, oh deary-me ! " 
Same melody as People's Song, No. I, but in the minor. 



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Music Cues 



ACT l.—Scene i. 

Cobbler plays People's song (" Ha, ha, ha ! ") once as curtain 
rises, tlien sings four verses. People listen till last verse, 
then join in and dance. 

No. I. People's song. Play six times. 

No. 2. Dutch Dance. Play ad libitum. 
Cue: — "Do you want to scare the girls? They're coming 
now with their garlands for the Prince's arch." 

No. 3. Peddler's song. Play four times. 

Cue : — " Yes, and he's singing as he comes : listen ! " Play 
softly till : " See, here's the fellow now ! " Enter Ped- 
dler and begins to sing. 

No. 4. (Same as No. 3.) Peddler's song. 

Cue: — Prince's speech — ''Speak! Do you no longer love 

me?" Play very softly till curtain falls. Use a mute 

here. 

ACT \.— Scene 2. 

No. 5. (Same as No. i.) People's song. Play once for 

Gretel's entrance. 
Cue : — Prince's speech — '' Is there not one happy heart in this 

unhappy town ? " 

No. 6. (Same as No. 3.) Peddler's song. Play softly till 

curtain. 

Cue : — Prince's speech — '' I beg you to go — and save your 

people." Use mute here. 

33 



34 



MUSIC CUES 



ACT U.--Scene i. 



No. 7. (Same as No. 3.) Peddler's song, softly as curtain 
rises. Break off abruptly as Rudolf begins whistling. 

No. 8. Peddler's song. 

Cue: — Rudolph's speech — ''Afraid of elves, not I ! " Music 
plays softly ; stops abruptly as he raises primrose cross. 

No. 9. (Same as No. 3.) Peddler's song, gaily and loud. 
Cue :— Elves' speech—" Yes, let's dance." 

Nt). 10. (Same.) 

Cue :— Elf- King's speech— ''Be as merry as you will!" 
Elves : " Yes, let's dance ! " 

Repeat elves' dance. 

t 
No. II. (Same as No. i.) Gretel's song, " Ha, ha, ha ! " 
Cue : — Toadkin's speech — " She's singing." 

ACT W.—Scene 2. 
No. 12. (Same as No. i, but iii the minor.') 
Cue ; — Baker's speech — " Quick, quick, I can't afford it ! " 

No. 13. (Same as No. i.) People's song. 

Cue : — Belrose's speech — " Gretel, Gretel ! " Play very softly 
till Prince says — "laughter, happy laughter!" then 
louder as Rudolph and Gretel enter. Play twice. 

No. 14. (Same as No. i.) People's song. 
Cue : — People — " Hail ! Hail 1 May they live long and 
merrily." Play twice till curtain. 



Dances 

No set dances are prescribed for the reason that most pro- 
ducers will prefer to use some simple steps already familiar 
rather than take the lime and trouble to study out new dances 
from a form, while the alternative of employing a folk-dancing 
teacher to prepare the steps and give instruction in them will 
often be found too expensive, though in the few instances where 
people do not consider either trouble or expense it will add 
greatly to the beauty of the effect. 

The dances originally used in the play were invented by 
Miss Grace Smith, Folk-dancing Teacher and Superintendent 
of Play Grounds in West Orange, New Jersey. For the pur- 
poses of elaborate production of this play she will be willing to 
furnish full instructions. All correspondence on this subject 
should be addressed to her as above. The music in the orig- 
inal performance was provided by two violins behind the scenes, 
but a small orchestra or piano is to be preferred. 



35 



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